"I wronged a man to his slaying, And a woman to her shame,And once I looked on a sworn maid That was wed to the Holy Name.
"And once I took my neighbour's wife, That was bound to an eastland man,In the starkness of my evil youth, Before my griefs began.
"People, if you have any prayers, Say prayers for me;And lay me under a Christian stoneIn that lost land I thought my own,To wait till the holy horn is blown, And all poor men are free."
Then Eldred of the idle farm Leaned on his ancient sword,As fell his heavy words and few;And his eyes were of such alien blueAs gleams where the Northman saileth new Into an unknown fiord.
"I was a fool and wasted ale — My slaves found it sweet;I was a fool and wasted bread, And the birds had bread to eat.
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